TVP1: Artur Szpilka vs. Dominick Guinn & Ewa Maria Piątkowska vs. Maria Camilla Lindberg RBR

This is Warsaw. There's nobody in the crowd upon whom you couldn't hang the hooligan tag.

 

Round 1

Piątkowska is steering clear, putting out a left jab to feel out her opponent. Lindberg is charging in, driving low straight rights into the midriff and left boob of Piątkowska. Clinches from the champ, pinning the German's head between her palms and then releasing before the ref can utter a peep. Quick footwork by Piątkowska, letting out a trickle of counter jabs. Winning the round ugly despite some heavy pressure from Lindberg. Hooking combo downstairs by Lindberg, mostly deflected on the lowered forearms of Piątkowska, who counters with a soft left hook above the liver, not sitting down on her shots, just point-scoring.

10-9 Piątkowska

 

WBC. The famous green belt. Same as Mayweather's, Tyson's, Ali's....

The ones that Lindberg holds you could maybe refer to as cracker jack belts, although in women's boxing the WIBF is a legitimate major org. Piątkowska, however, possesses as respectable a title as can be held.

 

Round 2

Piątkowska is starting to shear the blue dreadlocks of Lindberg with a busier and snappier jab. Lindberg is forcing some wooly exchanges diving in and carpet-bombing the body, causing Piątkowska to return fire, both getting hit a lot. Piątkowska is just barely retaining command as the ring general, able to ultimately thwart Lindberg's sorties with a long backward step and establishing her jab to prod her outside.

10-9 Piątkowska, closer

20-18 Piątkowska

 

Round 3

Piątkowska is spiraling out wide to her left, avoiding, spoiling. Lindberg is ramming the right hand into Piątkowska's ribs, falling in with her body folded in half and face pointed downward, hurling big overhands at the head as she crashes inside. Piątkowska is clearly uncomfortable with these constant reckless kamikaze offensives, clinching as often as possible, her jab rendered useless as Lindberg effectively performs repeated standing forward somersaults into her, slamming her with the right hand on head or body, wherever she can get a piece of leather.

10-9 Lindberg

29-28 Piątkowska

 

Round 4

Piątkowska is throwing her 1-2 at the head, Lindberg ducking it or slipping it with a quick lean to her side and countering from below with up-jabs and looping rights. Big exchange in the middle of the ring as Lindberg awkwardly lunges her way inside past the Piątkowska jab and 1-2. They clinch and Piątkowska is just leaning, biding time as Lindberg does all the effective infighting, bowling her fists into the champion's sides.

10-9 Lindberg

38-38

 

Round 5

Piątkowska is bearing down upon Lindberg with her full weight in the clinch, utilizing her comparatively impressive upper body musculature, just forcing Lindberg into a genuflecting position through raw physical strength. Lindberg is pulling straight out from the clinches, still bent in half, allowing Piątkowska to land a variety of clubbing blows, some legal and some rabbit punches. Lindberg very hurt by one, nearly face-planting, only staying up by holding onto Piątkowska's waist. More clinching and pushing down by the champ, mauling the challenger for the rest of the round, never allowing her arms free to hook the body nor letting her step outside to right hand range.

10-9 Piątkowska

48-47 Piątkowska

 

Dangerous but limited champ vs. an erstwhile p4p elite who is faded but still game.

This is an estrogen-laden preview of Matthysse vs. Pacquiao, in other words.

 

Round 6

Piątkowska is nailing Lindberg regularly now with combos at mid-range, leading with the right cross over a feigned jab and then banging her lower mandible with a left hook - or reversing that combo (hook first, then cross...scoring just as easily no matter what). Lindberg having a hard time swaying aside to slip punches. It seems her synaptic orders are reaching her anatomical parts just a beat or two late... Piątkowska using minimal footwork to just keep turning her challenger and zapping her with two-pieces. Lindberg now the one diving in to clinch, scrabbling for a few body shots here and there..

10-9 Piątkowska

58-56 Piątkowska